ST. GEORGE — The Daughters of the American Revolution presented patriotic red, white and blue medals Tuesday to two local female leaders for the American Women in History Award. Additionally, another group at the event received the Utah Cold War Victory Medals.
A special pinning ceremony and luncheon were held at the American Legion Hall in St. George in observance of Women in American History Month.
Jeanine Vander Brugeen and Marti Bigbie were honored with the American Women in History Award medals. They were nominated by the local Color Country Chapter and approved by the Daughters of the American Revolution state officials to receive the awards.
Valerie King of the DAR said both women were pleasantly surprised when they were called to the front of the room to receive the awards.
Vander Bruggen is a member of the Color Country Chapter and a board member of the Pioneer Museum and Washington County Historical Society. Over the last few years, she has dedicated her effort and time to reviving the Historic Pioneer Courthouse. Vander Bruggen has ignited community and tourist interest in the aging building.
The courthouse currently hosts book clubs, field trips and lectures on history, nature and cultural issues. There are also American Indian events featuring the local Shivwits band of Paiute Indians. Some Wild West shootouts also are re-enacted at the courthouse. Her focus has drawn visitors’ and locals’ interest to the historic building.
Vander Bruggen said the public benefits from the foundation the settlers created. She hopes those presently and in the future will have the desire to continue to build upon that foundation.
The other woman honored was Sgt. Martha “Marti” Bigbie. She’s an Air Force veteran and only the second woman in Utah to serve as commander of the American Legion Department of Utah.
Bigbie was the first woman named sergeant-at-arms for the Department of Utah American Legion in 2017. Also, Bigbie was the first woman assigned to the “Unfavorable Information File Program,” where she processed soldiers who got into trouble off base at Springfield Air Force Base in Massachusetts in 1969.
Bigbie received the Community Service Award from the Color Country Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution in 2017. She is the American Legion Post Area 4 Commander Department of Utah, SGT-at-ARMS Department of Utah, Adjutant District 7 Department of Utah, Past Post Commander Lester Keate Post 90 St George and Secretary, Utah Cold War Veterans Foundation.
“I was surprised with the certificate of award for Women in American History and a medal,” Bigbie told St. George News. “I make it a point to work with our veterans to see that they are receiving care from VA. Buddy checks on the welfare of the veteran and recently made it possible for veterans that qualify for the Utah Cold War Medal. I have made it my priority to help veterans, families and their children.”
King said the honorees’ community contributions and awards will now be a permanent part of the database at the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, D.C.
Also recognized during the event were family members of men who served in the Cold War. The Utah Cold War Victory Medal and certificate honor those who served during tension between the United States and the Soviet Union from September 1945 to December 1991. It acknowledges their sacrifices to their country during the Cold War, also called the “invisible war.”
The Cold War Victory Medal is an authorized token of gratitude for the brave men and women who served during that difficult time. It honors those who served in various military when Russia was the most prominent Soviet republic and was created with the support of U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, and the Utah Veterans of Foreign Affairs.
The U.S. military unofficially recognizes the medal. Utah is one of only four states recognizing the Cold War Victory Medal as an official citation.
According to their website, The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership service organization for women directly descended from someone involved in the United State’s bid for independence when the country was formed. They are a nonprofit group that promotes education and patriotism. Only direct lineal descendants of soldiers or others of the Revolutionary period who aided the cause of independence are allowed to join the organization.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.